The Galapagos Islands, a legendary archipelago that tops our top 10 list of eco-friendly destinations worldwide, are a daydream for nature lovers and divers the world over. Located more than 1,000 km west of the Ecuadorian coast, in the heart of the Pacific, these islands are a veritable paradise for animals, who are the main residents and enjoy rigorous protection. Here, the rules are clear: a sea lion lying in the middle of the road always has the right of way. You either go around it at a distance of more than two meters, or wait patiently for it to move. This is why visitors come: to observe these rare creatures, like sea lions, iguanas and gigantic land tortoises, without disturbing them. Whether you choose to discover the Galapagos on a cruise or stay on the islands, you'll leave transformed by this little paradise. And it's crucial to preserve it as a biodiversity sanctuary.
1. Isla Bartolomé
Isla Bartolomé is one of the most spectacular islands in the Galapagos archipelago! Apart from a few tufts of grass, it is totally devoid of vegetation and offers a totally unreal lunar landscape where lava flows and dusty expanses form a reddish desert. A path leads to the top of the volcano, where a natural viewpoint offers a breathtaking panorama of the neighboring islands. Bartolomé is often captured on postcards and can also be seen in the film "Master and Commander". The gray craters give this place a special charm, while the flora, made up of red mangroves and cactus, adds to its uniqueness. On this island of just 1 km², a colony of Galapagos penguins and grey lava lizards live side by side.
Click here to book your day trip to Bartolomé Island.
2. What to do in the Galapagos Islands Visit Isla Genovesa
Isla Genovesa is the most visited of the archipelago's northern islands. Wildlife is abundant, but the island is best known as the bird island par excellence. This horseshoe-shaped island, also known as Dowes of Tower, is the least rugged and lowest of the Galapagos. Formed by the former crater of a volcano that is now partially flooded, it shelters the Arcturus salt lake at its center, offering a picturesque landscape. Wildlife is abundant, and the island is a veritable birdwatcher's paradise. Some of the rarest species can be seen here: masked boobies, frigate birds and red-legged boobies, for which it is one of the few nesting sites. The arid vegetation consists mainly of thorny plants.
Book a whale-watching excursion in the Pelagos Sanctuary right here!
3. Punta Pitt
Punta Pitt is the name of a rocky point at the extreme north-east of the small island of San Cristobal. San Cristobal, which has been inhabited for around a hundred years, is the island's second gateway after Santa Cruz. And Punta Pitt is the kingdom of sea lions! It's advisable not to disturb these creatures and their pups basking in the sun, as they are right at home here. A short path leads away from the beach and the noise of the sea to the cliff, an important site for booby breeding. Naturally, you'll find plenty of blue-legged boobies, red-legged boobies and Nazca boobies, making this one of the few places where all three species nest side by side. It's also an increasingly popular surfing spot, but only for experienced riders.
4. Isla Española
Española Island is uninhabited. Also known as Hood, it lies in the extreme south-east of the archipelago. It is one of the oldest islands in the archipelago, dating back approximately 4 million years. Many consider it to be the most interesting of the islands. It is home to large colonies of seabirds, including superb albatrosses. Low vegetation, mostly thorny, covers the interior of the island, while rocky outcrops and pebble beaches form the coastal area. The 60 km2 island is reached by landing on a beach on the north side, at Punta Suárez. From here, a 3 km trail allows you to discover the island's birdlife: blue-footed boobies and albatrosses (from April to November), falcons, mockingbirds, Galapagos finches... Bring good walking shoes, as most of the circuit is on rocks. Another site of interest on the island is Gardner Bay and the surrounding islands of the same name, where you can scuba dive in a veritable aquarium.
5. What to do in the Galapagos Islands? Visit Isla Fernandina
Also known as Narborough, Isla Fernandina is an uninhabited island famous for the lava fields of its volcano La Cumbre, which is still active and last erupted in January 2020. Thanks to the strong cold currents that surround it, it is home to numerous underwater species. With a surface area of 642 km², it is the third largest island in the archipelago. Located at the western end of the Galapagos Islands, it is closest to Isabela, separated by the Bolívar Channel. It is home to one of the world's most active volcanoes, La Cumbre, which rises to 1,463 meters. Its spectacular lava fields are home to colonies of iguanas basking on the black rocks. The island's arid vegetation is made up of thorny plants and cacti. Rarely visited by tourists, Fernandina is accessible by boat, either for a day trip from Isabela, or as part of a cruise through the archipelago.
6. Roca León Dormido (Kicker's Rock)
Roca León Dormido, or Kicker's Rock, is an islet visible from the upper part of San Cristobal island. Comprising two large boulders, one of which is shaped like an obelisk, it has a channel running through it. The rock formation also evokes the silhouette of a sea lion, giving it its name (León Dormido). Accessible only by boat, this islet is home to impressive colonies of black-legged boobies and albatrosses. But it's also a must-see diving spot! Here, you can swim among a multitude of multicolored fish, sea turtles, sea lions, sharks (including Galapagos and hammerhead sharks), manta rays and sometimes even dolphins. Diving enthusiasts: a must!
7. What to do in the Galapagos Islands Visit Seymour Norte Island
Seymour Norte is a small island of less than 2 km2, located to the north of the island of Baltra. It was named after a British nobleman, Lord Hugh Seymour, an officer in the Royal Navy. This flat island, with its low vegetation, is rich in wildlife. It is home to blue-footed boobies, fork-tailed gulls, sea lions, frigate birds and colonies of land iguanas. In fact, it's nicknamed "Bird Island ", as you can easily admire nesting blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds along the trail. The red goiter of the latter will hold no secrets for you! Not to be missed. Tempted? Book your day trip to North Seymourhere .
8. Santa Fé
A 2h30 boat ride from Santa Cruz and 3h from San Cristobal, Santa Fé, also called Barrington by some, is relatively flat. Its highest point is just 260 meters. It covers 24 km² and is home to lush vegetation including Palo Santo trees, whose wood is used as incense, and giant Opuntia cacti often adorned with magnificent bright orange flowers. Santa Fé also offers superb white sand beaches, inhabited by sea lions, sea turtles, land iguanas, as well as the Galapagos hawk and mockingbird. To the north of the island, a lagoon invites you to snorkel. Don't forget your equipment!
9. Isla Floreana
Floreana, also known as Santa María or isla Charles, is an island inhabited by just a few dozen people. It is primarily of great botanical interest, and its rather varied vegetation gives it the appearance of a tropical paradise. Its main attractions include lagoons and pink flamingos. The village of Puerto Velasco Ibarra, on the west coast, is the island's only inhabited settlement. It was here that the first mailbox in the Galapagos was found: a barrel placed in Post Office Bay by whalers in the 18th century. Sailors used it to drop off and pick up their mail. This tradition continues today, allowing visitors to deposit their postcards in the barrel!
Click here to book your one-day visit to Floreana Island and the Pirates' Cave.
10. Hiking on Isla Isabela
Isla Isabela is formed by six main volcanoes (five of which are still active). It is the largest island in the archipelago, but also one of the least developed. It is divided into a southern part and a northern part, separated from each other by a narrow isthmus of lava. The highest point is the 1,707 m Wolf volcano. Puerto Villamil is the only inhabited part of Isabela Island, where tourism is on the increase, but still presents the face of a typical, unspoilt village. It's the ideal stopover in the Galapagos for those who like to be independent and take their time. On the island, a visit to the lava tunnels of Cabo Rosa and a hike on the Sierra Negra volcano are a must.
Book your day trip to Isabela Island and Tintoreras in the Galapagosright here
11. What to do in the Galapagos Islands Visit Isla Lobos
To get to this island, located off the west coast of San Cristobal, you'll need to hire a local agency, which will offer a boat trip of around an hour to reach your destination. The island is home to a large colony of sea lions(lobos de mar in Spanish) and many blue-footed boobies, who raise their chicks here. The island is criss-crossed by a number of trails, making for great hiking. Back at the beach, a swim in the island's crystal-clear waters is a life-saver. The scenery is magnificent, and the light at the end of the day is particularly exceptional. A unique moment!
12. Isla Santiago
Located between Santa Cruz and Isabela, Isla Santiago is a central island in the archipelago. It rises to an altitude of 900 meters and is bordered by the cold Humboldt Current, which explains the presence of large colonies of fur seals. Numerous pink flamingos have settled around Lake Flamingo. The island's heights are covered with abundant vegetation, while its coasts are formed by the lava flows of its two volcanoes. The island's most picturesque sites are Sullivan Bay, Espumilla Beach, Caleta Bucanero and Puerto Egas, where snorkeling sessions are frequently offered. It's not unusual to swim alongside penguins, sea turtles, sea lions and schools of multicolored fish. Or head further south to the island of Rábida and its red beach, one of our most unusual beaches in the world, or discover the tiny island of Sombrero Chino, one of our 10 most impressive volcanoes in the world.
13. What to do in the Galapagos Islands? Diving the Wolf and Darwin Islands
An unforgettable experience! Wolf and Darwin are two small islands accessible exclusively by boat, and the furthest from the mainland (from Santa Cruz, you'll need a good night at sea to see them). Above all, they are the Galapagos' world-renowned scuba diving mecca! Their waters are frequented by numerous pelagic species such as hammerhead sharks, manta rays and even the majestic whale sharks, as the islands are one of our top 10 places in the world to swim with whale sharks. As a result, they are approached by many boats dedicated to dive cruises. Unfortunately, to the south-east of Darwin Island, the spectacular Darwin Arch collapsed due to natural erosion in 2021, after having been a symbol of Galapagos diving for generations for divers from all over the world.
How can you visit the Galapagos Islands without taking a cruise?
Of course, in the Galapagos Islands, you'll have to board a boat for one of our most beautiful cruises in the world if you hope to see all the islands. But it's also possible to do it without taking a cruise. There's just one rule to bear in mind: choose your island of departure carefully, to get the most out of your stay. Some islands are only accessible from certain islands. If you land on Baltra, you can stay on nearby Santa Cruz Island, in the heart of the village of Puerto Ayora. The island is much more lively (and commercial) than its neighbor Isabela. From Santa Cruz Island, you can visit the islands of Bartolomé, Floreana, Santa Fé, Española, Pinzón and San Cristobal, among the main ones. Landing in San Cristobal will allow you to discover another part of the archipelago. The island is well worth a few hours or even a few days' visit. Afterwards, you can consider excursions to Santa Fé, Española or other nearby islands.
Book in advance below for some of the hottest things to do on vacation in the Galapagos Islands:
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